Desktop-to-Desktop Connection Puzzle

  • Thread starter Thread starter CWLee
  • Start date Start date
C

CWLee

(I'm not sure this is the proper newsgroup, so I welcome
redirection.)

First the background:

I have two side by side desktops: One running W-2000-Pro,
SP-4, IE-6, classic mode; the other is running Vista
Ultimate 64-bit, SP-1, IE-7, classic mode.

Several months ago a friend connected these with a cable
(Ethernet?) which, until a day ago, allowed me to access
each computer from the other. On the Windows Explorer
screen of each there was a Z drive shown, and then the C
drive of the other computer. By clicking on the C drive
under the Z drive I could access the files on the other
computer. It worked that way on both machines.

Now the problem:

Yesterday I downloaded some updates to the Windows 2000-Pro
machine. This required a restart of the computer, and I did
that. Since then my Vista machine still shows the Z drive/C
drive, and allows me to access the files on the Windows
2000-Pro machine. BUT, on the Windows 2000-Pro machine the
Z drive/C drive entry has disappeared, and I cannot access
the files on the other machine.

How can I reestablish the two-way communication between the
2 desktops?

Thanks.
--
 
Well, the article is for XP, not either W-2000 or Vista.

Nevertheless, I'll print it and read it, just in case it
gives me some ideas to try.

Thanks - and if you have a reference specifically for this
problem in W-2000/Vista I'd appreciate it.

=======================

Dave Patrick said:
This article should sort it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308582



--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
(I'm not sure this is the proper newsgroup, so I welcome
redirection.)

First the background:

I have two side by side desktops: One running
W-2000-Pro, SP-4, IE-6, classic mode; the other is
running Vista Ultimate 64-bit, SP-1, IE-7, classic mode.

Several months ago a friend connected these with a cable
(Ethernet?) which, until a day ago, allowed me to access
each computer from the other. On the Windows Explorer
screen of each there was a Z drive shown, and then the C
drive of the other computer. By clicking on the C drive
under the Z drive I could access the files on the other
computer. It worked that way on both machines.

Now the problem:

Yesterday I downloaded some updates to the Windows
2000-Pro machine. This required a restart of the
computer, and I did that. Since then my Vista machine
still shows the Z drive/C drive, and allows me to access
the files on the Windows 2000-Pro machine. BUT, on the
Windows 2000-Pro machine the Z drive/C drive entry has
disappeared, and I cannot access the files on the other
machine.

How can I reestablish the two-way communication between
the 2 desktops?

Thanks.
--
----------
CWLee
Former slayer of dragons; practice now limited to sacred
cows. Believing we should hire for quality, not quotas,
and
promote for performance, not preferences.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I printed the pages you suggested, and have had the
following experience:

1. On both my W-2000-Pro desktop and my Vista desktop, when
I click Start, "My Network Places" is not an option
provided. Thus I cannot figure out how to use method #1.

2. When I try the ideas in method #2 on my W-2000-Pro
desktop, I don't know what to enter in the box that asks for
the "UNC path for the server and shared resource in the
following format: \\server name\share name." That desktop
has the name, entered by me when I set it up, of "System-3".
When I set up the Vista machine I named it "System-4".
Would \\System-4\System-3" be what I should type in that
box?

3. I did not try the 3rd method, since it seemed to involve
the same issue mentioned in 2. above.

Does it make any difference whether I'm trying to do this as
the Administrator or as the only user?

Thanks.

Further assistance appreciated.

==================

Dave Patrick said:
The OS really doesn't matter. Especially since you already
have the user accounts and permissions.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
Well, the article is for XP, not either W-2000 or Vista.

Nevertheless, I'll print it and read it, just in case it
gives me some ideas to try.

Thanks - and if you have a reference specifically for
this problem in W-2000/Vista I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
If you open Windows Explorer and paste \\system-4 in the address bar and hit
enter key, what do you see? If you can find the computer in this window then
double-click it and the shares available to you should appear and this is
the UNC path you're looking for.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
CWLee said:
(I'm not sure this is the proper newsgroup, so I welcome
redirection.)
First the background:
I have two side by side desktops: One running W-2000-Pro,
SP-4, IE-6, classic mode; the other is running Vista
Ultimate 64-bit, SP-1, IE-7, classic mode.
Several months ago a friend connected these with a cable
(Ethernet?) which, until a day ago, allowed me to access
each computer from the other. On the Windows Explorer
screen of each there was a Z drive shown, and then the C
drive of the other computer. By clicking on the C drive
under the Z drive I could access the files on the other
computer. It worked that way on both machines.
Now the problem:
Yesterday I downloaded some updates to the Windows 2000-Pro
machine. This required a restart of the computer, and I did
that. Since then my Vista machine still shows the Z drive/C
drive, and allows me to access the files on the Windows
2000-Pro machine. BUT, on the Windows 2000-Pro machine the
Z drive/C drive entry has disappeared, and I cannot access
the files on the other machine.
How can I reestablish the two-way communication between the
2 desktops?
Click to expand...

Start "My Computer", click "Tools", "Folder Options", "View", make sure
that "Show hidden files and folders" is selected, then go to the "C:\Windows"
or "C:\Winnt" folder and uninstall the updates.

Ben
 
Thanks - some progress maybe, but not there yet - see
following.

On my System-3 I opened Windows explorer, and in the address
bar I typed \\system-4 and then hit the enter key. I
did find system-4, and double-clicked on it. Here is what
came up next:

System-4
C
+Public
+Users
Printers

I then went to the second method in the document you
originally suggested, and used \\System-4\C Since I had
selected drive Z in the box above that, I ended up having
the following entry in Windows Explorer: (network icon)
C on 'System-4' (Z:)

However, when I click on that I get a screen that says:

X Z:\ is not accessible
Access is denied
(OK button)

So, what next?

Thanks again.

========================

Dave Patrick said:
If you open Windows Explorer and paste \\system-4 in the
address bar and hit enter key, what do you see? If you can
find the computer in this window then double-click it and
the shares available to you should appear and this is the
UNC path you're looking for.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
I printed the pages you suggested, and have had the
following experience:

1. On both my W-2000-Pro desktop and my Vista desktop,
when I click Start, "My Network Places" is not an option
provided. Thus I cannot figure out how to use method #1.

2. When I try the ideas in method #2 on my W-2000-Pro
desktop, I don't know what to enter in the box that asks
for the "UNC path for the server and shared resource in
the following format: \\server name\share name." That
desktop has the name, entered by me when I set it up, of
"System-3". When I set up the Vista machine I named it
"System-4". Would \\System-4\System-3" be what I should
type in that box?

3. I did not try the 3rd method, since it seemed to
involve the same issue mentioned in 2. above.

Does it make any difference whether I'm trying to do this
as the Administrator or as the only user?

Thanks.

Further assistance appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Make sure the that both machines are part of the same workgroup and that you
logon to both using exactly the same username and password.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
How do I "make sure" that both machines are part of the same
workgroup? Where do I look on both computers (one is
W-2000-Pro, the other is Vista Ultimate) to make sure the
workgroup name is the same?

I have always had different usernames and passwords on each
machine, and it worked fine before. Are you saying I need
to change my usernames and passwords so they are identical
on both machines?

Thanks.

=====================

Dave Patrick said:
Make sure the that both machines are part of the same
workgroup and that you logon to both using exactly the
same username and password.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
Thanks - some progress maybe, but not there yet - see
following.

On my System-3 I opened Windows explorer, and in the
address bar I typed \\system-4 and then hit the enter
key. I did find system-4, and double-clicked on it.
Here is what came up next:

System-4
C
+Public
+Users
Printers

I then went to the second method in the document you
originally suggested, and used \\System-4\C Since I
had selected drive Z in the box above that, I ended up
having the following entry in Windows Explorer: (network
icon) C on 'System-4' (Z:)

However, when I click on that I get a screen that says:

X Z:\ is not accessible
Access is denied
(OK button)

So, what next?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No, that's fine but the account you use when you logon to computer A must
also exist on computer B with the exact same password and vice-versa.

Control Panel|System|Computer Name

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
Now I'm really confused. Your last messages seems
internally inconsistent - which I think means I just don't
understand what you are saying.

My W2000-Pro desktop is named System-3, and has password P1
for the administrator, and P2 for the only user.

My Vista desktop is named System-4, and has password P3 for
the administrator, and P4 for the only user.

Both desktops have had those names and sets of passwords for
a couple of years.

In the past I had, on each desktop, under the C drive, a $C
(Z) drive. When I clicked on that I was then able to access
the C drive on the other computer. No passwords involved.
That system worked fine for well over a year. Only within
the past week has the $C (Z) disappeared from System-3; it
is still on System-4 and works fine there. What I want to
do is get it back, working, on System-3.

Does that restatement of the problem change your series of
suggestions?

I appreciate the time you have taken to continue this
dialog, and I realize it probably seems just as frustrating
to you as it does to me.

Thanks.

========================

Dave Patrick said:
No, that's fine but the account you use when you logon to
computer A must also exist on computer B with the exact
same password and vice-versa.

Control Panel|System|Computer Name

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
How do I "make sure" that both machines are part of the
same workgroup? Where do I look on both computers (one is
W-2000-Pro, the other is Vista Ultimate) to make sure the
workgroup name is the same?

I have always had different usernames and passwords on
each machine, and it worked fine before. Are you saying
I need to change my usernames and passwords so they are
identical on both machines?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
It's easier to do if the accounts and passwords are the same. This way you
only need one account on each machine. It is possible to do with different
accounts but you must have both accounts on both machines with the exact
same password. It's just more work in the area of administration but
definitely doable.

C$ is an administrative share and would not be visible to anyone who is not
a member of the local administrator's group. So you must logon to each
machine as an admin user on both machines for that to work.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
I appreciate all the time you have taken with me on this.
Nevertheless, I'm just getting more and more confused and
frustrated with the whole process.

What do you think would happen if I just unplugged the cable
between the two computers, deleted the references to C$ and
(Z) and then, after an hour or so, plugged the cables back
in? Is it possible that the computers would then configure
themselves so each could see the other?

=============================

Dave Patrick said:
It's easier to do if the accounts and passwords are the
same. This way you only need one account on each machine.
It is possible to do with different accounts but you must
have both accounts on both machines with the exact same
password. It's just more work in the area of
administration but definitely doable.

C$ is an administrative share and would not be visible to
anyone who is not a member of the local administrator's
group. So you must logon to each machine as an admin user
on both machines for that to work.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
Now I'm really confused. Your last messages seems
internally inconsistent - which I think means I just
don't understand what you are saying.

My W2000-Pro desktop is named System-3, and has password
P1 for the administrator, and P2 for the only user.

My Vista desktop is named System-4, and has password P3
for the administrator, and P4 for the only user.

Both desktops have had those names and sets of passwords
for a couple of years.

In the past I had, on each desktop, under the C drive, a
$C (Z) drive. When I clicked on that I was then able to
access the C drive on the other computer. No passwords
involved. That system worked fine for well over a year.
Only within the past week has the $C (Z) disappeared from
System-3; it is still on System-4 and works fine there.
What I want to do is get it back, working, on System-3.

Does that restatement of the problem change your series
of suggestions?

I appreciate the time you have taken to continue this
dialog, and I realize it probably seems just as
frustrating to you as it does to me.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I don't see that making any difference. Did you try logging on as local
administrator on both? Can you then map the drive below?

\\System-4\C$

The $ means it is a hidden share so you can't browse to it but should have
no problem mapping it as long as the user account has local administrative
rights on the target machine.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
Yes, I can map using \\System-4\C$ however when I click
finish, after a moment of trying that, I get a screen that
asks for a "Network Password" with a place for "Connect
As" and "Password".

I don't know what to put in those fields. I have tried
every combination of user name and password that has been
used on these two desktops in the last couple of years, and
nothing works. It must be that either the systems came with
a "Network Password" I never recorded, or I perhaps somehow
changed it and did not record it.

So, I have moved another step along, but am still stuck.

Any suggestions for "Network Passwords" etc?

=======================

Dave Patrick said:
I don't see that making any difference. Did you try logging
on as local administrator on both? Can you then map the
drive below?

\\System-4\C$

The $ means it is a hidden share so you can't browse to it
but should have no problem mapping it as long as the user
account has local administrative rights on the target
machine.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in
newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


CWLee said:
I appreciate all the time you have taken with me on this.
Nevertheless, I'm just getting more and more confused and
frustrated with the whole process.

What do you think would happen if I just unplugged the
cable between the two computers, deleted the references
to C$ and (Z) and then, after an hour or so, plugged the
cables back in? Is it possible that the computers would
then configure themselves so each could see the other?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Something else you can do;

While logged onto "System-3" start a command session

Start|Run|cmd.exe

then paste into the black window

net use Z: \\System-4\C$
(note that there are three spaces in this command)

and press enter

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
This could mean the account you're using either doesn't exist on the other
machine or that the passwords are no longer the exactly same.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
You can easily reset the passwords on each to something you know.

Control Panel|Users and Passwords
Control Panel|User Accounts

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
When I did what you suggested below I received:

System error 67 has occurred.

The network name cannot be found.

C:\Documents and Settings\CWLEE>





Other ideas?

=============================
 
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